Freeport updates community-center rental policy to require insurance and responsible-party oversight

The City of Freeport council approved updates to the community-center rental application and related policy on Sept. 25, adding insurance and administrative requirements intended to limit the city's risk and clarify staffing and fee obligations.

The city clerk presented the revised application and policy, noting market comparisons showed local venues commonly require a $1,000,000 liability policy and naming the city as an additional insured; the clerk recommended adding a responsibility clause (a designated, contract-associated responsible party present during events) and requiring liability certificates for users that cook on site. "Every place that I looked at had that included in their rental application, to have us as additional insured and to have it as 1,000,000 dollar policy," the clerk said. Council discussed refundable setup/tear-down fees, nonprofit exceptions requiring council approval, and the clerk's proposal to require staffing fees where appropriate. The council approved the motion with a wording change clarifying the "responsible party" requirement.

The policy also includes no-alcohol and minimum-supervisor-age provisions and requires signature and initials on policy pages; the clerk said nonprofits may request fee considerations and the council will approve exceptions case by case.